Aerial advertising device



- L. AZARRAGA': AERIAL ADVERTISING DEVICE n a. *@Aszaif INVEN R LUIS AZARR A LUIS AZARRAGA, OF HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK.

.AERIAL ADVERTISING DEVICE.

Application filed December 21, 1926. Serial No. 156,118.

My invention relates to advertising signs.

An object of the invention is to provide an aerial advertising sign or the like in which a tethered balloon or other lighter-than-aircraft is used as a means for raising and holding the sign aloft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an aerial advertising sign or the like in which the sign structure per se is both freely rotatable and freely angularly movable relatively to its support.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an aerial advertising sign or the like in which suitable means is provided to automatically swing and hold the sign structure in that position of movement or adjust ment calculated to make it (the sign) visible to and readable by a maximum number of observers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like or corresponding parts,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tethered balloon having the sign structure mounted on its tether line;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the sign structure;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of a somewhat modified form of connection between the tether line'and the sign, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further modification.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, a more or less conventional form of non-rigid captive balloon l0 is shown as a means for raising and holding the sign aloft. From the balloon netting 11 a plurality of converging lines 12 are hung. These lines 12 are preferably fastened to a ring 13 to which is attached the outer or upper end of the tether line 14. The tether line, at or near its point of attachrnent to the balloon ring 13, is divided as indicated in Fig. 2, to receive between the separate line portions, a substantially ball shaped member 15. Said ball member 15, for the convenient attachment of said line portions, has formed thereon, at diametrically opposite points, two eye-extensions 16 and 16', the former extending in an upward direction and the latter extending oppositely.

The tether line 14, at its inner or lower end, may or may not be fastened to a windlass (not shown) for letting out or drawing in the balloon.

In Fig. 2, wherein is illustrated the simplest form of my invention, the ball member 15, except for the eye-extensions 16 and 16', is substantially spherical, altho it may, if desired, be out-of-round on its undersurface. rIhe function of said ball member is that of a ball shaped support for the sign structure designated in its entirety as 17. Said sign structure is preferably of light construction, circular, and substantially horizontally fiat.. It comprises, as herein illustrated, a marginal frame piece 18 of bamboo or other light but strong material, a center frame piece 19 of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and a netting or silken web 2O which may or may not be reinforced. The center frame piece 19, unlike the marginal frame piece, is substantially socket shaped. At its exact center it has formed therein an opening 21 thru which the tether line 14 extends. The inner socket wall of said frame piece 19 is preferably substantially complemental to the top rounded outer surface of the ball 15 which is adapted to loosely engage therewith. Such engagement provides, in effect, a ball and socket joint between the tether line 14 and the sign. Thus supported, the sign structure is free to either rotate or tilt in the wind.

The means employed for tilti1g 9,114:etat:m

ing the sign structure 17 relatively to the tether line 14, comprises a vertical fin surface 22 and a horizontal fin surface 23. Said fin surfaces are bot-h carried by the framing 18 at one side of its point of support and adjacent to the margin of the sign. Both surfaces function as stabilizer surfaces which tend to hold the sign at all times substantially horizontal and parallel to the earths surface regardless of the changing angular position of the tether line. The vertical fin surface 22 is preferably mounted on the top side of the sign so as to be hidden thereby when viewed from beneath, whereas the horizontal fin surface 23 is preferably formed by closing a portion of the web 2O against the passage of air therethru. To counterbalance the weight of said fin surfaces, the opposed sign portion may be slightly weighted as indicated at 24. rIhe advertising matter, Which may consist of letters, figures, or other characters 25, is fastened by any suitable means to the underside of the web portion 2O of the sign.

In the modification of Fig. 4f, a means of illuminating the sign by incandescent lamps 30 is shown. That this may be economically accomplished a plug 31 is provided at the base of the ball member 22. From said plug 31 Wires 33 lead up thru the ball to a point thereabove and thence laterally to the respective lamps hung from and beneath the sign. The Wire 35, forl supplying` current to the lamps 30, lead downwardly along the tether line.

In the modification of Fig. 5, a pendulum 4.0 is used as a means for stabilizing and holding the sign substantially parallel to the earths surface instead of aerofoils. Such pendulum is preferably provided with a forked upper end 42 which is adapted to straddle the tether line.

From the above, taken in conne-ction With the accompanying drawings, it will be noted that an aerial advertising sign or the like, supported in the manner indicated, Will be visible to and readable by a maximum number of observers. Due to the fact that the sign structure per se is freely ggtatablg and freely tiltable, no bad effect is produced When and during an aerial display Where the air conditions are such as to swing the tether line off at a rather appreciable angle to the vertical. 'Ihe stabilizing means Will act automatically to position and hold the sign at all times substantially horizontal.

While I have described my invention in detail in its present preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art after understanding my invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. I aim in the appended claims, to cover all such modifications and changes.

WhatI I claim is:

l. An aerial advertising device including a substantially flat framed structure having delineated thereon an advertising sign or the like, said framed structure having formed therein an opening, a tethered balloon having its tether line extending thru said opening, means carried by said tether line and held aloft by said balloon to loosely support said framed structure, and means for maintaining said framed structure in a substantially horizontal position regardless ofthe angular position of said tether line.

2. An aerial advertising device including a substantially flat framed structure having delineated thereon an advertising sign or the like, said framed structure having formed therein an opening, a tethered balloon having its tether 'line extending thru said opening, means carried by said tether line and held aloft by said balloon to loosely support said framed structure, and aerofoil surfaces mounted on said framed structure at one side of its point of support to maintain it (the framed structure) in a substantially horizontal position regardless of the angular position of said tether line.

8. An aerial advertising device including a substantially flat framed structure having delineated thereon an advertising sign or the like, a socket member having formed therein an opening, a tethered balloon having its tether line extending thru said open ing, a ball member carried by said tether line and held aloft by said balloon to loosely support said framed structure by its engagement in said socket, and aerofoil surfaces mounted on said framed structure at one side of its point of support to maintain it (the framed structure) in a substantially horizontal position regardless of the angular' position of said tether line.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

LUIS AZARRAGA. 

